January 3, 2012

SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "DA to sift 400 cases in probe of ex-trooper"

We'll take a larger snip of this article on Trooper Moseman in today's Grand Junction Daily Sentinel because it is the portion that sums up what avatars in commentary have been voicing concerns over.

First, that when Hautzinger pointed out the discrepancies, Moseman had been suspected for years prior to.  The folks are asking why it took so long for prosecutors, other cops and also the state patrol to speak up.

Second, the overall stress factor dumping this huge number of cases on our already weighted judicial system in the 21st District and how much that is going to cost the folks.

Very good report by Paul Shockley over on the Sentinel.  Be sure to click title and read in its entirety.

Paul Shockley:
"Nearly 400 cases dating back to 2008 in Mesa County will be re-examined in the face of credibility concerns surrounding a former Colorado State Patrol trooper, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.

Hautzinger’s assessment came after the District Attorney’s Office recently was provided a list of cases involving former trooper Donald Moseman over the past three years, which covers Moseman’s most recent stint working in Mesa County.

Hautzinger said the task of assessing old Moseman cases could take months, adding he may have to hire temporary employees or law school interns to assist with the job.

“My existing staff is already swamped,” he said.

At the DA’s request, the State Patrol compiled a list of all cases in which Moseman was the primary investigating officer or a significant witness. Hautzinger said a cursory review of the list showed everything from speeding infractions to alcohol- or drug-impaired driving arrests, in addition to at least two felony cases involving vehicular eluding and motor vehicle theft. The list was not released.

It does not include the 12 pending criminal cases, mostly DUI arrests in 2011 in which Moseman was the sole witness, that already have been dismissed by Hautzinger’s office over the past three weeks.

Reports were suspect

Moseman’s work became the focus of an internal investigation by the State Patrol after the District Attorney’s Office in October pointed out inconsistencies in Moseman’s case reports.

The State Patrol investigation found Moseman displayed a bias against drivers “who may have consumed alcohol or drugs prior to driving,” State Patrol Maj. Barry Bratt wrote in a letter to Hautzinger dated Dec. 5.

The letter said Moseman has submitted reports that combined information from prior arrests and the new criminal allegations, “resulting in reports which contained wrong or conflicting information.”

Hautzinger and State Patrol leadership have declined to elaborate.

SandBox Comments: Vail Daily News "Vail's growth boosts sales tax revenue'

(See related story here)

One of the major problems privately owned Aspen has,  is how far behind they are in building infrastructure.

It's going to really hurt and take a powerful toll now that they've hit the wall and realize that they must change or they will continue to lag behind other major resorts in the region.

Lodging, restaurants, amenities that are aimed at real needs among vacationers.  Families, international guests, large events, the arts and sciences.

Lots of work to be done up in Aspen.  Of course we support the effort completely, it is simply that there is a very long way to go with the general population not even sure yet whether or not the Skico is listening.

Good article over on the Vail Daily this morning.

"...Rayla Kundolf, director at Masters Gallery in Vail Village, said everyone wants to go to the new hot spots, but once that settles down, she expects all businesses in town to get a more even piece of the overall pie.

“I think it will spread out,” Kundolf said.

She reports that the gallery is about flat with last winter so far, but flat isn't bad when you're talking about a record-breaking December 2010 in terms of overall town sales tax revenues. She thinks people came to town a little later this season and seem to be staying a little later, too.

New hot spots also help existing businesses raise the bar, Kundolf said, which is good for the town as a whole.

“Each business needs to constantly reinvent themselves to keep it fresh, keep it new,” she said.

Growth in the town seems to have peaked — although Vail Resorts is still pushing through its $1 billion Ever Vail application, which would add more commercial space, condominiums and hotel rooms to the west side of Lionshead — and looking back on the strategy, some feel it has worked.

Vail Councilman Greg Moffet, who also owns Tiga Advertising and is on the Vail Economic Advisory Council, said new square footage in town has helped lower rents and allow a more diversified tenant base. A few years ago, places such as candy shops, wine and coffee shops would have had trouble affording space in either village, he said.

“The tenant mix is broadening,” Moffet said. “I think the pie is getting bigger — not getting bigger as fast as overall growth and retail space, but I think it will catch up quickly.”

Moffet said it's hard to analyze economic data from the past 21⁄2 years because the national economy has been so bad. But having a better product mix in town means more people will shop, Moffet said.

“I see it creating opportunity,” he said. “Most of my customers aren't complaining.”
(Lauren Glendenning)

Read more on what's going on in Vail?
"Valleywide paved trail system closer to reality"
"Vail Resorts announces 52 local grant recipients"

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Power up the Power of Four"

Very well said.  We couldn't agree more. 

But, along with changing the way the world views Aspen and the Aspen Skico comes what lies at the core of the real problem.

The Crown Family has made Aspen into a mirror of themselves and their choices in life.  We're privately owned and they do what they wish.

When the Aspen Ski Corp. finally cuts the umbilical cord and becomes a real grown-up corporation that is a business in the service oriented industries, then and only then will there be a complete turn for the better.  As it stands now, the company is performing well to exactly what it is currently set up to be. 

The Power of One.

’Tis the season, so let’s raise a glass to the many good things the Aspen Skiing Co. has accomplished under Jim Crown’s stewardship. Serious steady investment, great people, no layoffs in tough times, and shared values including a love of Aspen, an abiding respect for the environment and delight in sharing it with others.  

Yet no matter how well intentioned, it feels like SkiCo is waxing the wrong skis.

Greg Stump captured the Aspen experience brilliantly in the Power of Four.

Unfortunately, the business execution for a number of years now more resembles the power of one — Aspen affluent — in four different locations.....

......Instead of service that supports an experience aimed at each mountain’s natural audience with their own distinct wants and needs, service has been averaged to be more or less the same at all mountains. It’s as if we are pretending to be one huge mountain — like Vail — and in the process missing an equally huge opportunity.

How about showcasing Aspen Mountain with service that creates an experience beyond anything seen in the industry or the other three mountains in the valley? To do that, Aspen must beat Deer Valley, which is unfettered by the level of service offered at neighboring Park City. Bottom line, an Aspen Mountain ski ticket should be the most expensive in America and worth every penny — complete with Ritz levels of style and service, perfectly in keeping with the Aspen name.

The season pass should remain a four-mountain pass. Different daily prices for different mountains can be charged against a prepaid amount on a visitor’s electronic pass.

The Power of Four is the power to mesmerize four distinct audiences while your competitors work at being all things to all people, and important to none.

The mountains are waiting, the people are ready — what’s needed now is a bit of audacity."

Charlie Hughes was the founding CEO of Land Rover in the U.S., supported the 24 Hours of Aspen for years, and co-authored a book on branding titled “Branding Iron.” Charlie and his family first skied on Snowmass in 1989 and have owned a place there since 1993.

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: B&W"

Bob Berwyn: 

"SUMMIT COUNTY — A short selection of images post-processed with the goal of recreating some old Kodak Plus X vibes …"

SandBox Comments: Goose Radio "It Was All a Big Mistake!"

They've been flooding in.

Heartwarming stories of how the Goose touched their lives with positive change.

Cries of anguish that his voice will no longer speak to them on their daily commutes or off their streaming news podcasts as they work through the day.

Conservative leaning bloggers, commentators and podcasters reach out to America over the next few days and share their beloved Goose. 

This morning, we start off with his classic 'Obama guy' at mid-term elections.